Hänsel & Gretel/MIG Music
ANTHRAX guitar slinger Dan Spitz returns from the world of clocks with a new band and a new album in league with Dave Mustaine of MEGADETH. Apart from guitarist Spitz and co-lyricist/producer Mustaine the band consists of vocalist Don Chaffin, drummer Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, WASP), and Chris Vrenna of NINE INCH NAILS and MARILYN MANSON fame supplies synthesizers and programming.
MEGADETH sure has lent and arm and a leg to the overall sound of this album. Vocalist Don has a more than slight resemblance to Dave, and the overall sound is that of MEGADETH in the nineties. There are a few differences in song openings, Dan sure knows how to create riffs and quite a few guitar patterns are very enjoyable. But there is also the feeling of few new ideas, lack of refrains and the churning lackluster lack of melodies of the nineties, a decade of instability in the metal world. The talking vocals of “Don´t Threaten to Love Me” is right up Dave´s alley, the techno thrash is of the kind that killed off the Under One Flag label way back, but also of the intriguing and biting sort that made Dave Mustaine a world renowned musician. “Standby Passenger” and “Keep Pushing me” are convincing, the overall sound is mostly crisp and well-produced, but the run-of-the-mill increases as “Temptation” ends the disc. A somewhat odd 3/5 is awarded with both a smile and a fright…
Track List
The Cage
Runaway Train
Standby Passenger
One Shell (In the Chamber)
Puzzle Box
Watchman
Keep Pushing Me
Get Up
Don´t Threaten to Love Me
Angels of War
Warpaint
Temptation
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